What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX470 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PG-240 & CL-241 Ink Cartridges – 240XL, 240XXL & 241XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
CastleScore · October 2026
76/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA MX470
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 1,288 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag (MX472) 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 82 | About 5.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-240XXL (600 pages) and CL-241XL (400 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 83 | Most-reported problems: printer goes into service-required errors after years of use; B200 service code reported by MX472 owners; after a service error, new cartridges can get stuck because the carriage will not move to the replacement position |
| Features (12%) | 70 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, fax, Wi-Fi. No auto two-sided printing, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 80 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Canon no longer offers the MX470 series as a current product. PG-240 and CL-241 cartridges, including the XL and XXL sizes, are still widely sold.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 11, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PG-240XL + CL-241XL 2-pack5206B001 / 5208B001
PG-240XXL Black5204B001 · ~600 pages
PG-240XL Black5206B001 · ~300 pages
CL-241XL Tri-color5208B001 · ~400 pages
PG-240XL + CL-241XL 2-pack
PG-240XXL Black
PG-240XL Black
CL-241XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA MX470 use?
The Canon PIXMA MX470 uses two FINE cartridges: one PG-240 black and one CL-241 tri-color (cyan, magenta, and yellow in a single cartridge). High-yield PG-240XL and CL-241XL, plus the extra-high-yield PG-240XXL black, fit the same slots.
For the pros and cons of third-party cartridges, read compatible vs genuine Canon ink.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Type | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PG-240 | Black | ~180 pages |
| Canon PG-240XL | Black (high yield) | ~300 pages |
| Canon PG-240XXL | Black (extra-high yield) | ~600 pages |
| Canon CL-241 | Tri-color | ~180 pages |
| Canon CL-241XL | Tri-color (high yield) | ~400 pages |
*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Canon PIXMA MX470 ink
Standard, XL, or XXL: which should I buy?
For most people, PG-240XL or PG-240XXL black plus CL-241XL color. The XXL black is rated for about 600 pages, more than three times the standard PG-240, so it has the lowest cost per page if you print a lot of text. Only buy standard cartridges if the printer sits idle for months, since ink can dry out before you use it. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
What other printers use PG-240/CL-241 ink?
The same cartridges fit the PIXMA MG2120, MG3120, MG3520, MG3600 series, MG3620, MX452, MX472, MX532, TS5120, MG3220, MG4120, MG4220, MX372, MX392, MX432, MX512, and MX522. If you own two of these printers, one stock of cartridges covers both.
Will other Canon cartridges fit the MX470?
No. PG-243/PG-245 and CL-244/CL-246 (used by the PIXMA MG2520 and TS3122) are a smaller cartridge, and PG-210/CL-211 (MX340, MP495) and PG-260/CL-261 (TS5320, TR7020) are different shapes too. None of them will seat in a PG-240/CL-241 printer. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the MX470?
Yes. We sell remanufactured PG-240XL, PG-240XXL and CL-241XL cartridges, and Canon doesn't block them. A refilled or remanufactured cartridge often can't report its ink level, so you may see support code 1686 (see below). Using non-Canon cartridges doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the MX470?
Turn the printer on and open the front cover (the paper output cover); the cartridge holder moves to the replacement position. Push the empty cartridge down to unlock it and lift it out. Unpack the new cartridge, peel off the protective tape (don't touch the gold contacts or the nozzles), slide it in at a slight upward angle, and push it up until it clicks. Black goes on the right and color on the left. Close the cover and run a nozzle check. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.
What does support code 1686 or 1688 mean?
Code 1686 means the printer can no longer estimate how much ink is left, which is normal after a cartridge runs very low or when a refilled or remanufactured cartridge is installed. Press and hold Stop for about 5 seconds to keep printing; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge only. Code 1688 means the ink has run out. See Printer error codes explained.
Why are MX470 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
On this printer the print head is part of each cartridge, so a fresh cartridge often fixes nozzle problems. Before you replace one, run a nozzle check and one or two cleanings from the printer or the Canon driver. If one color is missing from the color cartridge, that color is empty and the whole cartridge needs replacing. Step by step: How to clean Canon printer heads and Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes.
Does the MX470 have fax and a document feeder?
Yes. The MX470 is an office all-in-one that prints, scans, copies, and faxes, with a 30-sheet automatic document feeder for multi-page originals.
Is the MX470 the same as the MX490?
No. The MX470 series uses PG-240/CL-241, while the MX490 and MX492 use the smaller PG-245/CL-246.
MX470 key facts
- Type: wireless office all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 2 FINE cartridges, PG-240 black + CL-241 color (XL and XXL fit)
- Document feeder: 30 sheets
- Connections: Wi-Fi and USB (no Ethernet)
- Series includes: MX472
What MX470 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
The cartridge holder won't move after an error, so I can't get the cartridges out.
On Canon's forum, the fix was to turn the printer on, unplug it while the carriage is moving, then open the front cover and slide the holder over by hand.
It shows support code 5B02. Can I fix it?
Canon treats 5B02 as a service-required error. In-warranty printers go to Canon support. For out-of-warranty printers, Canon pointed owners to its one-time discounted Upgrade Program rather than a repair.
What does service code B200 mean?
It points to a print head or carriage fault, and MX472 owners report it on Canon's community forum. If turning the printer off and on doesn't clear it, contact Canon support.
Can the MX470 connect by Ethernet cable?
No. Canon lists only Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Hi-Speed USB.
Can I scan legal-size originals?
Yes, through the 30-sheet document feeder. The flatbed glass tops out at 8.5 x 11.7 inches. The feeder scans at 600 x 600 dpi and the glass at up to 1200 x 2400 dpi.
MX470 quirks worth knowing
- The fax side is a real office fax: 33.6 Kbps, about 50 pages of memory and 19 group-dial locations.
- The MX472 is the same printer in the MX470 series. Every MX472 guide, driver and cartridge applies.
- Canon's spec sheet lists operating-system support only up to Windows 8 and Mac OS X 10.9, and the U.S. support page has no firmware downloads.
- It has a 2-line LCD, not a touchscreen.
Other printers that use PG-240 and CL-241
Canon PIXMA MG3620 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · Canon PIXMA MG3520 · Canon PIXMA MG3120 · Canon PIXMA MG2120 · Canon PIXMA TS5120 · Canon PIXMA MX472 · Canon PIXMA MX452
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA TS3322 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 11, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon PG-240 & CL-241 Ink Cartridges – 240XL, 240XXL & 241XL? Shop Canon PG-240 & CL-241 Ink Cartridges – 240XL, 240XXL & 241XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.